Agri Aware to collaborate with farmers on farm safety campaign

Agri Aware chairman, Shay Galvin, launching the ‘Safety in Every Field’ campaign that will run throughout Farm Safety Week.

Agri Aware is teaming up with farmers to bring tips for staying safe on farms for Farm Safety Week, that is taking place next week, Monday, July 22 until Friday, July 26.

Raising awareness about farm safety has never been more important. In its annual report released in June, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) revealed that farming continues to have the highest number of fatalities, with 16 out of 43 (37%) workplace accident fatalities 2023. Farm accidents result in physical and emotional consequences for farmers and their families which is what this campaign aims to highlight and raise awareness through by showing best practices while working on a farm.

Through its social media channels, Agri Aware’s ‘Safety in Every Field’ social media campaign will highlight and raise awareness of dangers on farms and how to be safe while on a farm.

Farmers and agri businesses across the agricultural sector will share their farm safety tips on topics including safe livestock handling, tractor and quad safety, working safely with slurry, wearing correct PPE while dealing with chemicals and much more.

POTENTIAL DANGERS

The ‘Safety in Every Field’ campaign for Farm Safety Week aims to raise awareness not only within the farming community, but also amongst the general public. With schools recently finished for the summer holidays, children and adults should understand the potential dangers on farms they may be visiting.

Cork vet and president of Veterinary Ireland, Hazell Mullins, will be joining the campaign for Farm Safety Week. Hazell, who has a strong following of 17,500 on Instagram, brings a wealth of veterinary and farming knowledge to her audience. She aims to provide Agri Aware followers with valuable insights into the use of a livestock crush, ensuring safer handling practices.

The public can tune in everyday next week to Agri Aware’s social media platforms – Instagram, X and TikTok – to educate and engage with the advice from farmers during Farm Safety Week.

In 2024, Agri Aware has been busy in the farm safety space, rolling out its farm safety initiative ‘Safe Farm Futures’ in primary schools across the country. To date, 23,647 students are enrolled in the programme with 60 workshops completed so far this year across 16 counties.